Chapter 4 The Imperial Court

  In order to make a good impression at my first court meeting, I did my homework thoroughly last night. I read through the memorials and got a clear understanding of the matters at hand. I even simulated in my mind several times the people and things that might appear. But as soon as I sat down in this imperial court, I cursed to myself: "Damn the director, who doesn't understand history but still dares to film Qing dynasty dramas. The real court meeting is completely different from what's shown on TV. A group of damn scammers."

  It was thought that the imperial court would make decisions in a straightforward manner. Each minister would briefly explain the matters that needed to be decided, and then everyone would discuss and offer their opinions. Finally, the emperor would make the final decision and issue orders. However, this morning's meeting had only been going on for half an hour, and Guangxu already felt overwhelmed. He realized that the system he had envisioned was suitable for a prosperous dynasty, but not for the current situation. The entire court meeting was like a marketplace, with everyone haggling over prices. For example, the Northern Navy submitted a request to increase their military budget and armaments. However, the censor officials and other government officials immediately responded by saying that the Northern Navy had accomplished nothing despite being established for many years, wasting the imperial treasury's funds, and that the navy was corrupt and arrogant, making them unfit for important tasks. Similarly, the Ministry of Rites requested funds to celebrate the Empress Dowager's 60th birthday and renovate the Yiheyuan Garden, but the Ministry of Revenue said that the national finances were strained and they could only allocate a certain amount of money. The Ministry of Rites argued that this was insufficient and would delay the project. The Minister of Works said that the spring floods were approaching and certain rivers needed to be repaired, while the Ministry of Justice had cases that required imperial review. The officials from the Censorate also chimed in with their opinions. Guangxu listened for almost an hour, his face darkening with confusion, feeling like he hadn't understood anything. He thought to himself that being an emperor was not a job for humans. Guangxu painfully buried his head in his arms on the table. Just then, the ministers looked at each other and knelt down, saying in unison: "We beg Your Majesty to make a decision." They had effectively passed the buck to the emperor.

  "This is the imperial court, not a marketplace. You are all high-ranking officials of the state and have read the classics. Your behavior in the imperial court is no different from that of a shrew on the streets." Guangxu stood up: "You are all just asking for money with outstretched hands, nothing can be done without money, and nothing can be accomplished. Have you ever thought about sharing some of the worries of the imperial court? The national treasury is strained, can't the various departments think of ways to use less money to accomplish more? I don't want to dwell on past matters, from now on, I will establish new rules."

  Guangxu slowly walked down the jade steps: "All follow me outside."

  The early spring wind in Beijing still carried a chill, and many officials couldn't help but shiver as soon as they stepped out of the grand hall. No one knew what the emperor was going to do today, they just silently followed behind Guangxu.

  Weng Tonghe hastened forward: "Your Majesty, it's cold outside the palace. Please return to the palace and take care of your dragon body."

  "It doesn't matter, I just want to ask you all to take a look at the current situation of our Qing dynasty. Our Qing dynasty has gone through two Opium Wars and is now like entering winter. But now we have recovered the lost territories in Xinjiang from foreign powers, repelled France, and internally quelled the Hong Yang rebellion and the Shaanxi-Gansu Muslim Rebellion. The Qing dynasty has survived the harsh winter and is now at the beginning of spring, just like this weather. However, the cold air of winter has not completely dissipated, and the country still faces difficulties. I hope you all can work together with me to move forward. People's hearts can be encouraged but not discouraged, but Guangxu understands that the current Qing dynasty is barely holding on in terms of financial and military power. The defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War was what pushed the Qing dynasty into a deep abyss."

  "We swear to die for the Emperor." Kneeling down in a large group. To be honest, this feeling is really great. In all fairness, most of China's officials are quite capable, such as when the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works were debating the cost of river repairs, they asked very carefully and answered very rigorously, going back and forth with reason and evidence to the point of meticulous calculation. The honest officials also cited classics and canons. Unfortunately, most officials put their minds on officialdom and making money. Not to say it's a full ten points, but if you use seven points of effort to do practical things, your achievements will be immeasurable. Otherwise, how could the saying "Give Chinese people hope, and they will create a miracle for you" be passed down through the ages? This is China, as an emperor, I have a long way to go.

  "Stop kneeling, get up and talk. Who was it that said they wanted to repair the river path earlier? Come forward and speak."

  "The old minister of works, Qi Shi Chang."

  "They all say that you should not kneel, is it up to me to decide whether it's good or not?" Guangxu scowled: "I don't understand river engineering, nor do I want to look at memorials, but if you can answer my few questions, I'll get Master Weng to allocate the funds immediately. How about that?"

  "Your Majesty is invited to inquire."

  Which river course to repair. What is the current situation. Is it reinforced or rebuilt. How to reinforce. Rebuilding is also how. How many civilians need to be recruited. When to start and when to end. How much soil and stone will be consumed. Where do the soil and stone come from. Who is responsible for the construction, who is in charge of acceptance. Will it affect spring plowing. Guangxu paused: "I only thought of these, thinking again."

  “……”

  Guangxu waited for a while: "Can't answer? Didn't think I would ask this, or didn't even think about these problems?" Guangxu asked loudly: "As the Minister of Works, you don't understand the affairs under your jurisdiction. How do you manage your duties? Go back and write me a detailed plan, if it's not clear, then send me your official hat."

  "The Board of Rites wants to repair the Yiheyuan Garden, when and how much wood, paint and stone materials will be purchased. When and where will the construction start and end?" Guangxu didn't wait for an answer: "The national finance is clear to all of you officials. There's no money! So, all of you should list out the required funds in detail, and the Ministry of Revenue will allocate them accordingly, which will also reduce the pressure. The same applies to the Ministry of Punishment, write down the cases more clearly, can't let me guess and make judgments, if wrong, it would be said that I'm a foolish ruler."

  "I have been in power for a short time, and I am not yet fully aware of all the major and minor matters of the court. You, my ministers, should write down in detail the matters that require decision-making, and after consulting with the Holy Mother Empress Dowager, I will make the final decision." It feels great, almost forgot about the old lady.

  "There is another matter, I have been quietly recuperating for several days and observed that Western powers all have the custom of royal families commanding the army. I want to follow their example. However, after discussing with Empress Dowager Ci Xi for many days, we couldn't come up with a solution. So today, listen to your suggestions, do you have any good ideas?"

  "Your Majesty is wise, the Western powers all have royal troops, which are also the elite of the country. Your Majesty will one day establish this army and make our great Qing strong, the powers..."

  Ba la ba la ba la, Guangxu heard that it was such a sound. Anyway, it's all flattering voices. Not a single useful idea.

  "I'm afraid it's not easy for all of you to come up with a good idea right away. Why don't we all go back, think about it some more, and write a memorial to submit? Consider the venue, equipment, and other aspects in detail, especially who should be the leader. Let Li Hongzhang also submit a memorial." Guangxu thought for a moment and said: "Forget it, let's issue an edict summoning Li Hongzhang to come to Beijing at his convenience to make a report in person." Do you want to take control of the military power? I'm giving you this opportunity, let you all come out and compete. If you want to write a good memorial, you'll have to find some professional people, won't you be able to find some good solutions from them? Suddenly, he had an idea: "Could it be that this time we've lifted a rock only to drop it on our own feet?"

  "Wong Shifu, what is the situation with the Ministry of Revenue? How much silver is left in the national treasury?"

  "I report to Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue currently has a surplus of over 20 million taels of silver. Seeing that Your Majesty's face is not pleased, I hasten to add: 'The rations for the bannermen and soldiers have taken up a large part, and there are also expenses for the repair of the Summer Palace. Although the Ministry of Revenue has managed to scrape together some funds, it has truly reached a point where every step is a struggle.'"

  "The Ministry of Revenue is really having a hard time managing this household for our great Qing dynasty. Master Weng, you've worked hard."

  Weng Tonghe's face lit up with joy, after all, it was his own disciple. But the next sentence left him stunned.

  "But has Master Weng ever thought of ways to increase national revenue? I'm afraid not."

  Guangxu walked slowly into the great hall, without looking back: "Everything must have a procedure, you all should write your memorials more carefully in the future, I will only allocate funds if they are written clearly. If you can't even write clearly, then hand over your official hat to me, I'll find someone who understands to write it. Of course, some of you may think, 'I don't want the money, I just want to be an official in peace.' That's fine, but remember to let heaven protect your governance so that nothing goes wrong. If something does go wrong, I won't want your official hat." He then said loudly: "I'll want your head."

  "Everyone stop kneeling, let's end the court session."

  The entire court of officials stood in the cold wind, looking at each other in dismay.